Who Pays Photographers?

A space to list how much -- and how little -- magazines, newspapers, websites, NGOs and corporations pay photographers. Editorial, commercial, advertising, entertainment -- any and all presented. Listing based on anonymous submissions. This is intended as an exercise in sharing, rather than shaming -- but feel free to warn your fellow photogs about deadbeats. No doubt, there will be conflicting reports. Outlets play favorites and situations vary. Still, the more data points, the fuller the picture for everyone. If you have a differing account of a particular client, feel free to add your info. All the info on this site is shared anonymously, based on photographers' experiences and opinions. If you or your company have serious issues with inaccuracies in any particular post, feel free to email us at [email protected] SUBMISSIONS: All submissions will be posted anonymously, one title at a time. To report a rate, please click the "Add Rate" button in the menu above. Or you can email us: [email protected] Please include: Name of publication What you were paid When it was (year) Number of pages, size of usage Type of piece (e.g., portrait, photo essay, reprint, etc.) Assignment work vs stock sale Expenses paid/not, mileage rates, assistant. Context such as non-payment, rights-grab, etc. Use the search function to check on previous listings, or click through the #hashtags to navigate between similar reports. The best way to find info on a particular client is to check in the [email protected] | Twitter: @whopaysphotogs Props and full credit to Manjula Martin and Who Pays Writers for coming up with this idea. Be sure to visit their site.

[whopaysphotogs]

Swampland Magazine (Australia)

250 AUD. Feature, Portraits (2018)

4 images used.

- Loss of rights - Embargo until after publication was released (3 months from submission deadline) 

Speed of payment -  1 month

[whopaysphotogs]

Independent Newspaper Group  (Boston area, USA)

$ 50/assignment.  Stores/Event Coverage. (2018)

Photographer retains full copyright 10+ Photos No mileage rate, they will pay parking fees Boston area newspapers, several different outlets. Starting rate is $50 per assignment. Requires written captions. Circulation:  70,000

Speed of payment -  2 weeks or less

[whopaysphotogs]

New York Times (Newspaper, USA)

$450 /day. Assignment work. (2018)

Joint-copyright agreement. Mileage covered at IRS rate of

Speed of payment - 1 month.  Sometimes payment can be as fast as a week.

[whopaysphotogs]

East Bay Express (Newspaper; California, USA)

Payment - none (2018)

Loss of copyright

Expenses not covered.

“We agreed on a rate for assignment photography and they refused to pay me afterwards. They've ignored emails and invoice.”

[whopaysphotogs]

CultureTrip (Website, USA)

250USD day rate. 2 day assignment.

Loss of rights. No expenses paid.

“Culture Trip would own the rights to the images however if they were sold on for commercial use you would receive a cut.”

Declined to work with them. 

[whopaysphotogs]

Nomad Africa Magazine (South Africa)

Payment : zero. Assignment work (2016)

Accompanying images to a feature article.  Loss of rights Expenses not covered

“We agreed on a rate for words and pictures. They are refusing to honour that agreement.” “Agreed on a rate, never paid”

[whopaysphotogs]

FRAME Magazine (Netherlands)

€350 day rate (2018)

Assignment work - Portrait

license granted for usage in one print issue and online

Usage - 4-6 pages, 3 images 

Expenses Covered €200 assistant, transportation

Speed of payment Up to 3 months

[whopaysphotogs]

ZEIT Magazin (Germany, 2018)

300 € for one portrait. Staged portrait. Double spread usage.

Photographer maintained full copyright 

Expenses not covered  

Speed of payment - up to one month

[whopaysphotogs]

MOJO Magazine (United Kingdom)

Event coverage assignment -  €150 (2017)

No loss of rights to photos, got to keep all copyright

Pages used - 1

Expenses not covered

Speed of payment - 1 month

[whopaysphotogs]

FRAME Magazine (Netherlands)

€350 day rate. Portrait Assignment (2018)

Usage -  4-6 pages, 3 images.  License granted for usage in one print issue and online

Expenses covered, incl  €200 assistant, transportation

Speed of payment -  Up to 3 months

[whopaysphotogs]

GEO (Magazine, Germany)

3,500€ -  Reprint of a feature. 2017

Photographer maintained full copyright

Usage -  6 pages, 14 images

Speed of payment -  Up to 3 months

[whopaysphotogs]

What should be the fee for a fixer working for a an acclaimed foreign photojournalist?

This is a complex question, with many variables including where the shoot is, the nature of the subject material, time and expertise involved and so on. I’ve seen day rates from $100 on up but it really depends on the relationship and communication between fixer and photographer.

WorldFixer is a somewhat new site (not very active) that has such discussions : https://worldfixer.com/forum/category/131 

Here’s a post that discusses fixer responsibilities and gives a sense of how to present the most value (and charge accordingly) as a fixer: https://www.videomaker.com/article/c06/18247-consider-a-fixer-protect-your-production-in-foreign-countries

[whopaysphotogs]

Time Out Australia (Website)

About $500/day (2017)  Locations, food

When I started working for them, the photographer kept all IP. Unfortunately a new owner took over and changed the contract so that the company would own all copyright, which meant I regretfully had to stop working for them.

Expenses covered. Mileage covered.

Very pleasant to work for, reasonable rates and paid on time. Just a shame about the parent company changing the copyright contract :(

Speed of payment -  1 month

[whopaysphotogs]

Top Menu (Montreal, Canada)

150$ per assignment. Food photography work. (2017)

photographer maintain full copyrights

10-30 photos

Expenses not covered. Transportation cover only outside of town 0.40c/km

Payment -  2 weeks or less

[whopaysphotogs]

Has anyone done work for Travel + Leisure? Do they pay well? Thanks

Yes. There’s one post in the spreadsheet. You can also use the search function at the top of the page.

http://whopaysphotogs.tumblr.com/tagged/travel-leisure

[whopaysphotogs]

I shot for the Observer, Its been a year and they are still giving me the run around about paying me for a shoot I did and they ran the photo. They are the worst company I have ever dealt with. Save yourself the stress and don't bother shooting for a company that does not pay and will tell you excuse after excuse

Thanks for sharing. 

For anyone looking for more info, here are some previous posts tagged with the #Observer: http://whopaysphotogs.tumblr.com/tagged/observer

[whopaysphotogs]

Monocle Magazine (UK)

$500 (Assignment,  2017)

Portrait, photo essay

No loss of rights

Travel and meals covered

Invoices were sent in August, still no payment as of January. Made several attempts to contact PD, most without success until stating the amount of days that have lapsed since invoicing. Was finally told processing would take place in early December but as of today still no payment...

Still not paid